Shattering spree hits HR

Two men arrested after Saturday window-breaking crime

The sound of shattering glass echoed throughout Hood River County on Saturday night when two young adult males went on a window-breaking crime spree using sling shots and ball bearings.

Scott Edward Giles, 21, a former Hood River resident on leave from his tour in the U.S. Air Force, and Jonathan Oliver Lane, 20, of Parkdale were both charged on Monday morning for felony criminal mischief.

Hood River District Attorney John Sewell said, to date, there have been 47 reports of smashed car, business and house windows within the city limits — including 10 windows broken at May Street Elementary School — and 10 in outlying areas. He said that count could climb higher in days to come and collecting victim statements and damage estimates is a “monumental task” now being undertaken by city police and county deputies. Sewell estimated the final total for replacement costs will be in the “tens of thousands of dollars.”

“This is a good example of aggressive police work, the city officers started with a tip and had both suspects arrested within 24 hours,” he said.

Ken Shute, front end brake technician at Buntings automotive shop, one of the targeted businesses, agrees with Sewell that the overtime hours spent by law enforcement officials this weekend paid off.

“It’s nice at least they got these guys, that will make a lot of people happy and they ought to pay for all the damages plus,” he said after looking at the shattered front window of the business.

In an added twist to the crime, Sewell will not be able to prosecute Giles and Lane since his car window was also broken by the perpetrators while parked along the street in front of his home.

“Since I am also a victim we will be appointing a special prosecutor to handle these cases,” he said.

According to Sewell, Giles and Lane were previously arrested as juveniles for spray painting graffiti around the community of Parkdale.

Both men have been conditionally released from jail pending their next court appearance for the entry of their formal plea.

Giles was ordered by the court to report back to McCord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash., where he is stationed and keep his attorney apprised of any changes in his whereabouts.